Fair or Finessed: Are Black Athletes Getting Unequal Treatment?
In a world where humans get conditioned to climb the ranks and work at their best, Black people are often missing from the conversation and not from lack of trying. The First female African-American all-around world champion and winner of the Most World Championship gold medals won by a female gymnast in history Simone Biles is arguably the greatest female gymnast. Despite consistently proving herself to be a force in her field, Biles is a Black woman who is currently fighting to get her just due. In her new virtual show on Facebook, Biles describes her complicated journey with receiving scores that reflect the amount of...
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The First of Many… Hooray?
When most people think of the saying “delayed but not denied,” it is regarding a specific, overdue outcome that was months or years in the making. It comes with feelings of gratitude and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. But what is joy when the lack of recognition is specific to a race of people? In recent weeks, the African-American community has experienced a series of historic firsts - winning national spelling bees to breaking athletic records. While the victories are sweet, they leave a bitter taste in the mouths of many who feel like Black athletes deserve recognition on a large scale and a more consistent...
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TruSo, a Black-owned Social Networking App Set to Launch
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent A new app could end the so-called “Black Twitter” experience and allow African Americans their own social media platform. Backed by celebrities Sway Calloway, Kareem Grimes, Terrell Owens, and Miki Barber, the Black-owned social networking app, TruSo, is poised to debut. “I believe in the power of community – especially cultural communities,” Matthew Newman, the founder and CEO of TruSo noted in a news release. “As it relates to the Black community, the entire world has witnessed what we can accomplish when we join together behind a cause – we create a phenomenon.” Newman continued: “Now, we are introducing...
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Billionaires Row: The Only Black-Owned Champagne Brand in the World
(News Source: www.miamitimesonline.com) – By Selena Stanley Miami Times Staff Writer – When Jay-Z sold 50% of the luxury Champagne brand Ace of Spades, Billionaires Row officially became the only majority Black-owned Champagne brand in the world. With a valuation of approximately $600 million across all of its brands, which include Champagne, a signature cognac, clothing and other goods – the luxury lifestyle company is on track to becoming one of the most recognizable Black-owned conglomerates, according to co-founders William Benson and Patrick Ductant. Breaking into the multimillion-dollar spirits industry, garnering a celebrity following and quickly growing the Champagne’s footprint across the U.S., the two are no strangers to success....
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Black in Business: How Black Businesses Are Fairing After COVID-19
A casualty of nationwide shutdowns, little resources, and systemic racism, Black businesses have struggled greatly during the coronavirus pandemic and the battle for job security is far from over. What was originally thought to be a relatively short run-in with an unknown virus, quickly became a year-long disease that plagued a number of Black-owned businesses throughout the United States and beyond. With many Americans receiving vaccines and businesses opening their doors again, many are left wondering how the nation’s minority-owned operations are handling the world’s new normal. Black businesses, much like the minority men and women who run them, are often disportionately affected by worldly occurrences...
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Ready, Set, Go: Black Americans Have Sights On Moving to Different Countries
Coming off the heels of 2020, one thing is for certain: racism is alive and Black Americans are tired. Last year’s pandemic allowed for a surplus of independent time that gave many people a chance to evaluate how life in America had treated them thus far. The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahamud Arbury sparked nationwide outrage and relevant conversations surrounding the Black experience in neighboring regions. The collective exhaustion is by no means a new feeling for a majority of the African-American community. Instances of racial injustice, health disparities, and economic inequality have left many feeling emotionally and mentally spent with little hope...
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Black business registrations increase during COVID pandemic
(BlackPressUSA)—Several states have shown that the number of registered businesses has “more than doubled” according to analysis by the New York Times. In the month after the CARES Act was passed by Congress in March 2020, business registrations increased by 60 percent. Though the economic downturn caused by the COVID pandemic is likely to damage entrepreneurship and put many small businesses in a financial hole or out of business entirely, there are signs that many have turned to creating businesses after losing employment elsewhere. Andre Perry, a Brookings Institution fellow, told the Times that some of the surge in Black business registrations could be a signal...
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Kevin Walker named President and CEO of Duquesne Light Company
PITTSBURGH—The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that the Board of Directors of DQE Holdings LLC (DQE) has appointed Kevin Walker as the new President and CEO of Duquesne Light Company (DLC), Duquesne Light Holdings, Inc. and DQE. Walker succeeds Mark Kaplan, who had served in an interim role since January of this year. Kaplan has also served as chief financial officer and will retain that role throughout June, after which he will become special advisor to the company’s management and board of directors. Matthew Ankrum will assume the vice president, chief financial officer role on July 1. “With more than 30 years of utility and leadership...
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Wells Fargo anchors the Black Economic Alliance Foundation’s Entrepreneurs Fund
(BlackPressUSA) — The Black Economic Alliance Foundation (BEA), in collaboration with Wells Fargo, launched the Black Economic Alliance Entrepreneurs Fund (BEA Entrepreneurs Fund) to accelerate the growth of Black entrepreneurs and business owners. The $50 million evergreen fund will provide seed, start-up, and early-stage capital to businesses founded and led by Black entrepreneurs. The launch of the BEA Entrepreneurs Fund is anchored by Wells Fargo with a $20 million commitment over five years to kick-start operations and investments, and to serve as a thought partner to the BEA Foundation in building this innovative investment vehicle. The BEA Entrepreneurs Fund will recycle 100 percent of returns to...
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Leading Black Media Company Real Times Media and its Michigan Chronicle to Host GM Chairman & CEO Mary Barra for Pancakes & Politics
Discussion will focus on company’s efforts to engage Black and brown consumers Wednesday, June 9 at 2 p.m. DETROIT — June 4, 2021 — On Wednesday, June 9 at 2 p.m., Michigan Chronicle’s Pancakes & Politics series will feature General Motors CEO Mary Barra. Following the untimely death of George Floyd, GM’s leadership committed to doing the challenging but necessary work to strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion at GM and beyond. A year later, Barra will discuss the automaker’s progress and strategic plan to improve relationships and engagements with Black and brown consumers and communities. The discussion will be led by Detroit native and Ignition Media...
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